Preseason Power Rankings: NFL Wide Receivers

7. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

Marshall is a big man who makes big plays. He recorded his seventh-consecutive 1000-yard season last year while amassing 100 catches, 1,300 yards and a league-leading 70 catches for first downs. He’s as productive as they come, and now he’s got a clone on the other side of the field in Alshon Jeffery dividing DBs’ attention. He’s an all-around beast, and he’s nowhere near done. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Photo)

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We've already looked at coaches and quarterbacks. Now it's time to take a look at the receivers who are going to make both of those groups look very good this season. Once again, we brush aside what veterans have done in the past and try not to look too far ahead at the potential of rookies. This is how the best of the best stack up heading into the 2014 season. (Getty Photos)

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35. Mike Evans, ...At 6-foot-5 with speed, excellent leaping ability and freakishly long arms, Evans is the red zone threat of most OCs' dreams. He's physically dominant and is a willing and capable blocker. Evans has a good chance to justify his high draft pick this year alongside Vincent Jackson as one of the largest receiving tandems in the NFL. (Chris O'Meara/AP Photo)

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34. Tavon Austin...The Rams shied away from showcasing their best (and tiniest) offensive weapon in 2013. When given the chance, Austin flashed the electrifying ability that made him the eighth overall pick last year. He’s got blistering speed and jaw-dropping YAC potential. The Rams just have to get him the ball. They’ll move him into the spotlight this season, and it will pay off in spades. (Christian Petersen/AP Photo)

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33. Brandin Cook...The Saints’ lightning-fast first-round pick has been an early gift for Drew Brees in training camp. With uncommon speed, outstanding ball skills and scary abilities in space, Cooks brings a new layer to New Orleans' already layered offense. He’s been lighting up DBs since day one of camp. Look for Sean Payton to go full mad-scientist while dialing up plays for his new threat. (Chris Tilley/AP Photo)

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32. Cordarrelle ...Patterson earned his way onto the Pro Bowl roster as a returner last year. In 2014, he could do it as a receiver. The Vikings didn't give him much of a chance last year (his vertical targets per game ranked 92nd in the NFL), but when they set him loose towards the end of the season, the results were undeniable. This speedster is poised for a breakout year. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Photo)

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31. Sammy Watkin...The first receiver taken in the 2014 draft, Watkins has spent the spring and summer making the Bills look awfully smart for trading up to get him. At Clemson, he blossomed into one of the best receiving prospects in years with a combination of size and explosive speed. Watkins is already making his own DBs look bad in practice. He’ll do the same to the rest of the league as E.J. Manuel’s new favorite target, and will rocket up this list in no time. (Jason Miller/Getty Photo)

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30. Eric Decker,...Any doubt as to Decker’s numbers being a product of Peyton Manning’s arm will be answered this season as he lines up as the new No. 1 target of Geno Smith. (He caught eight TD passes from Tim Tebow in his sophomore year, so there’s that.) Decker’s got decent speed and a big frame, but can he be a No. 1 receiver? He’s going to get plenty of opportunities to prove it this year. (AP Photo)

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29. Jeremy Macli...Maclin missed the first year of Chip Kelly’s offensive boogaloo with a torn ACL. Now reportedly 100 percent healthy and installed as the team’s new No. 1, he’s poised for the monster year he imagined when insisting on his one-year contract. The former first-round pick has been sneaky-good when healthy. Maclin is also one of just eight receivers with at least 750 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons. This is the year it all comes together. (Nick Laham/Getty Photo)

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28. Golden Tate,...The most productive receiver on the Super Bowl champion Seahawks is now second fiddle on the Lions. With Megatron drawing all of the attention, Tate should have plenty of opportunities to put up big numbers in Detroit’s pass-happy attack. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

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27. Steve Smith,...After a rough ending to his career in Carolina, Smith comes to Baltimore with a chip on his shoulder, which is dangerous for a receiver who could be charitably described as chippy. But that’s just the quality the Ravens wanted. Now 35, Smith is starting to slow down, and his drops are becoming more noticeable. But he’s every bit capable of making noise with the Ravens in a role previously occupied by Anquan Boldin. (AP Photo)

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26. Reggie Wayne...Wayne is in the twilight of his career, and is coming off an ACL tear. The odds are against the 35-year-old vet, but Wayne appears to be fully recovered and ready to become the primary target for one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league. He may not be the same dominant force he was a few years ago, but even with more wear on his tires, I wouldn’t count Wayne out. (Michael Hickey/Getty Photo)

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25. Marques Cols...The Saints’ all-time leading receiver had a down year statistically in 2013, and enters his ninth year with young guns like Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills battling for Drew Brees’ attention. That said, the nagging foot injury that plagued him last year seems to be healed, and Colston entered training camp looking as dangerous as ever. He’s not getting any faster, but Colston’s massive size and strength will continue to make him one of the Saints’ best weapons. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Photo)

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24. Roddy White,...White was swept under the rug last year during the Falcon’s team-wide implosion. He succumbed to injuries while posting his worst stats in seven years. While he’s going to turn 33 this season, there is reason for optimism. His chemistry with Matt Ryan is apparent, and both should return to form this year thanks to a revamped offensive line. If not, the Falcons may start to regret that offseason extension. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photo)

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23. Mike Wallace...Wallace has tremendous speed and ability, but failed to make a real impact in his first season with Miami. Sometimes he wasn’t used to the best of his abilities. A distinct lack of chemistry with Ryan Tannehill was also in play. There’s a chance both of those factors will be fixed in Bill Lazor’s new offense. If so, he’ll be back where he belongs in or near the Top 10. For now, it just looks like wasted talent. (Al Bello/Getty Photo)

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22. T.Y. Hilton,...The decline of the great Reggie Wayne is inevitable. In his absence last season, Hilton showed he is ready to assume the No. 1 role. He is definitely on the small side for a top receiver, but that didn't stop him from amassing 1,944 yards and 12 touchdowns in the past two years. (Jonathan Moore/Getty Photo)

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21. Randall Cobb...Cobb was sidelined by a broken leg for much of last year, but at 23, he’s still got plenty to offer, and has the added motivation of being in a contract year in 2014. He’s explosive off the line and lethal in open space, and has never been one to shy away from contact in traffic. Cobb’s got to prove he can stay healthy, but he’s got youth and Aaron Rodgers’ arm on his side in what could be a very big year. (David Banks/Getty Photo)

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20. Pierre Garco...Garcon has been one of the premiere deep threats in the game over the past few years. He notched 113 catches for 1,346 yards and five touchdowns last season, and this year will have DeSean Jackson dragging defenders to the other side of the field. As long as Griffin doesn't collapse, he'll have a great 2014. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Photo)

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19. Keenan Allen...One of the beneficiaries of Philip Rivers’ career renaissance in 2013, Allen had a breakout rookie season, eclipsing the thousand-yard mark with 71 catches and eight touchdowns. He did that largely on intermediate routes, but that could change in 2014, as Allen reportedly arrived in camp bigger and faster, and has been blowing by DBs in scrimmage. He’s got great body control and already moves faster than his pedestrian 40 time suggested. He could be in for a true breakout year in his second season. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Photo)

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18. Anquan Boldi...Boldin is going to be 34 this fall, but the qualities that have made him one of the best receivers in the NFL aren’t the kind that wear away quickly. His strength, hands and ability to win contested catches are what helped give him his sixth 1,000-yard season last year, while on a team that threw the fewest passes in the entire league. Expect the same in 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photo)

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17. Alshon Jeffe...Jeffery spent 2013 compiling one long highlight reel as he launched himself into the air and came down with circus catch after circus catch. With a huge frame and monster arms, the red-zone nightmare hauled in 89 passes for 1,421 yards, and that was while battling Brandon Marshall for the quarterback’s attention. Entering his third season, Jeffery still has plenty of untapped potential, which is a scary thought for the rest of the NFC North. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Photo)

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16. Torrey Smith...Smith quietly made an argument to be listed among the top-shelf receivers last year, hauling in 65 catches for 1,128 yards in a very down year for Joe Flacco, and averaging 17.4 yards per catch, behind only Josh Gordon and Megatron among players with 50-plus catches. He’s developed into more than just a pure speed receiver, adding elusiveness with crisper route running. With Steve Smith drawing some attention off of him, Torrey should be able to shed the double teams and take another step forward in 2014. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photo)

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15. Percy Harvin...After spending most of his first season with Seattle convalescing, Harvin was finally full-go just in time for the Super Bowl. That 87-yard kickoff return showed just the kind of explosive player he can be. The Seahawks are still handling him with kid gloves in training camp, but he appears to be ready to justify all of those draft picks Seattle surrendered to get him. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Photo)

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14. DeSean Jacks...Already one of the deadliest speed threats in the NFL, Jackson was in full bloom last season under Chip Kelly, hauling in a career-high 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. What his on-field reaction will be in the wake of being kicked to the curb by his former team remains to be seen. If D-Jax can take the mature path, he could be lethal alongside RG3 in Jay Gruden’s offensive scheme. Conversely, if he lets his anger and attitude get the best of him, he could end up being just another headache for Washington. (AP Photo)

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13. Jordy Nelson...Nelson had a banner year in 2013, setting career highs in targets (126), receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,314) — and most of that with Aaron Rodgers on the sideline. Nelson is large and fearless, and has proven to be a threat along the sidelines as well as in the slot. The Packers handed him a fat extension this offseason, and the odds are that with a healthy Rodgers, he’ll be worth every penny. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Photo)

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12. Victor Cruz,...Cruz rocketed from relative unknown to superstar in a single season. In the two years since, defenses have gotten wise to the Giants’ attack and spent all available resources on preventing that salsa dance in the end zone. But Cruz has two things on his side this season. First, Eli Manning can’t possibly struggle as much as he did last year (can he?). And second, he’s got a fellow burner in first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. to help get DBs off his back. Look for a resurgence in 2014. (Al Bello/Getty Photo)

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11. Wes Welker, ...Welker’s 2013 season was interrupted by two concussions and capped by a deflating Super Bowl blowout loss. He’s looking to bounce back in all kinds of ways this year heading into his second season in Denver, with added chemistry with Peyton Manning and a tweaked role in the offense thanks to the departure of Eric Decker. At 33 years old, it remains to be seen if he can still be the same game-changing pest, but until proven otherwise, he remains the best slot receiver around. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Photo)

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10. Andre Johnso...Eleven seasons into his career, Johnson remains the potent weapon that made him a star in the league. He somehow managed to top the thousand-yard mark again last season (1,407) as the Texans went on their death spiral and the situation at quarterback devolved. If Ryan Fitzpatrick provides nothing more than consistency, Johnson will still be better off. (Bob Levey/Getty Photo)

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9. Antonio Brown...In the midst of the Steelers’ underwhelming 2013 season, Brown quietly established himself as one of the NFL’s most complete receivers, finishing second in the league in both catches (110) and receiving yards (1,499) with a career-high eight TDs. He’s entering his fifth season this year, but at age 25, still has plenty of time to hone his skills. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Photo)

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8. Vincent Jacks...Jackson is a monolithic receiver who seems to excel no matter the situation. He had three 1,000-yard seasons in San Diego, and has racked up more than 2,500 during his two years in Tampa Bay with less than inspiring quarterback play. Between his massive catch radius and what’s expected to be steady play from new Bucs QB Josh McCown, Jackson should have no problem beating defenses once again this year. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Photo)

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7. Brandon Marsh...Marshall is a big man who makes big plays. He recorded his seventh-consecutive 1000-yard season last year while amassing 100 catches, 1,300 yards and a league-leading 70 catches for first downs. He’s as productive as they come, and now he’s got a clone on the other side of the field in Alshon Jeffery dividing DBs’ attention. He’s an all-around beast, and he’s nowhere near done. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Photo)

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6. Larry Fitzger...Fitzgerald may no longer be the walking highlight reel he once was, but he is the picture of consistency when it comes to high-level performance. He excelled throughout Arizona’s carousel of quarterbacks, and continued to do so in 2013, when he hauled in 82 catches for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns, and dropped one single pass all year long. Ten years in, he remains a top-level athlete with dominant technical skill. (Christian Petersen/Getty Photo)

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5. Julio Jones, ...As Jones goes, so go the Falcons. He appeared in just five games last year, and Matt Ryan missed his big target sorely. Now recovered from a fractured foot, Jones (still just 25) is poised to pick up where he left off. He uses that big frame and freakish speed to wreak havoc, and figures to see an uptick in targets as Roddy White plateaus. In 2012, he notched 1,200 yards and 10 TDs. That’s a good starting point for 2014. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photo)

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4. Dez Bryant, D...Bryant has been such a dominant receiver for so long. He’s large, he’s speedy, and he loves to get physical. He can be immature and can lack focus, but his skills are unflinching. Last season, he amassed 93 catches for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns, and his 34 TDs over the past three seasons lead the league. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Photo)

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3. A.J. Green, C...Green was a game-changer from day one in Cincinnati, giving the offense a big-play threat and stretching defenses to their breaking point. He’s a crisp route-runner with breakaway quickness, a huge catch radius and impressive hand strength. Green hauled in 98 passes for 1,426 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and that was with one of the least accurate passers in the NFL. An occasional case of the dropsies is all that separates him from a higher spot. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Photo)

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2. Demaryius Tho...You can’t really get around the fact that Thomas benefited big-time as a product of Peyton Manning’s magnificent season last year, hauling in 92 receptions and 1,430 yards. But you also can’t hold it against him. Thomas has good size and tremendous speed, and can do a lot of damage after the catch (704 of those 1,430 yards). He could thrive in just about any system. Working with Peyton just gives him video-game stats. Can he top the 14 TDs from last year? He just might. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Photo)

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1. Calvin Johnso...Johnson is the dream wide receiver, the rarest combination of size, intelligence and pure athletic ability. He lived out most receivers’ best season last year (84 catches, 1,492 yards, 12 touchdowns) and he did it in just 14 games. If healthy this year, he could easily return to his historic numbers of 2012 (122 catches for 1,964 yards!) in Jim Caldwell’s system. Eight years into his career, Megatron continues to build his case for being acknowledged as one of the greatest to ever play the position. (Jason Miller/Getty Photo)

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